My father was born in China and came to Singapore when he was ten years old. He was a very independent boy. Unlike me, he did not need reminders from my grandparents about doing homework and helping out with housework, like washing and gardening. He would even spend time to tuition others although his earnings were meagre, as he felt that having to ask parents for money time and again was not appropriate. He made himself a cupboard, a basketball pole, a table-tennis table and even a double-decker bed for him and his brother. As for me, I am provided with all my needs since young and so have not found it necessary to construct anything for myself. Therefore, I seemed to have missed out on the joy of learning about the basic skills of carpentry a

Modern parents are very protective about their children, thus restricting the child’s natural inclination to explore and grow. Parents protect their children against rain and all kinds of weather and stop them from participating in rough activities for fear that they might injure themselves or fall sick. During my father’s childhood, again due to having a large family with many brothers and sisters, the individual receives less attention, and are therefore not spoilt by their parents. Mr. Goh Chok Tong, the Prime Minister of Singapore, once said in his speech, “Allow a child to fall and he will learn to endure pain and pick himself up again”. I feel that this is a truth. And like all other truths, it is hard to follow and keep up with. As this is not generally practiced in modern society, children miss out on all the fun such as splashing about in mud and running freely in the rain.

Technology in the modern world has also affected the way children grow and develop. Children today no longer need to step out of their homes to play. To us, playing is as simple as sitting in front of the computer or a “one-eye monster” and tapping the keyboard, trying to figure out a way to kill a monster or an enemy in a computer game. Another way to spend time is to visit the arcade where video games abound. In the past, children play ‘catching’ or fishing but now children play games differently. However, we need to analyse the idea of playing. It is not just engaging in an activity, be it playing marbles or computer games but it is also a time whereby children interact among themselves, a time to explore their strengths and weaknesses and to learn as they grow. For example, a simple game of “five stones” allows the children to accept losing and to improve their relationship with friends and family

Some topics in this essay:
China Singapore, Minister Singapore, Elective Programme, , father’s childhood, computer games, consequences “magic wand”, friends family, children interact, “magic wand”, children play, consequences “magic, brothers sisters,